Cameroon and Chad Strengthen trade route security on Douala-N’Djamena Corridor

November 8, Cameroon’s Customs Director Fongod Edwin Nuvaga and Hamid Djoumino, Director of Chad’s Shippers’ Council (COC-Tchad), signed a partnership agreement in Yaoundé. This deal sets up a framework for information-sharing, collaboration, and consultation to improve the safety and efficiency of goods in transit from Cameroon to Chad.

The main aim of the agreement is to assist shippers in navigating customs transit procedures in Cameroon, lower costs and delays, and enhance reliable data on goods transiting the Douala-N'Djamena corridor. This framework will ultimately boost revenue by improving transit statistics and understanding trade patterns on this key route.

A key part of this collaboration is the creation of a joint electronic data exchange platform, enabling the COC-Tchad to share active records of Chadian shippers with Cameroon’s Customs Department (DGD). COC-Tchad will also integrate Chad’s Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (BESC) with Cameroon’s customs information system, Camcis, and Chad’s maritime levy system. To protect privacy, all data exchanged will remain confidential and cannot be shared outside the agreement without permission from COC-Tchad’s Director General.

For its part, Cameroon’s Customs Department agreed to address the transit issues that Chadian transporters frequently face, such as the wheel-clamping of Chadian-bound trucks. The DGD will use stickers for tracking trucks without GPS and reduce tracking costs from CFA35,000 to CFA25,000 starting January 1, 2025. It will also offer private geolocation options, develop an online GPS request system, and create a transit cost guide for goods moving to and from Chad.

For years, Chadian transporters on the Douala-N'Djamena corridor have voiced concerns about the delays caused by customs and law enforcement in Cameroon. The new agreement is expected to make goods transit more efficient and secure, addressing these longstanding issues.

According to Cameroon’s Freight Management Office, roughly 20,000 truck movements transport over a million tons of goods annually between Cameroon and Chad. Cameroon’s customs also report over CFA350 billion in annual revenue generated from Chadian goods passing through the country. The partnership marks a new step in strengthening trade and cooperation along this vital corridor.

In addition its important to note the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) which is mandatory for shipments to Cameroon and Chad, ensuring compliance with customs regulations and efficient cargo tracking. Exporters must validate the ECTN to avoid delays and penalties, enhancing trade transparency and security.